Reel



,0129, 1940. WONEN 2,219,818

REEL

Fiied April-23'; 1957 4 sheets+s`neer 1 INVENTOR.

l 4-.9 5/49 @mxo/1MM L; ATTORNEYS.

011.29, 1.940. h J. w. @BRIEN 2,219,818

REEL

Filed April 2s, 1937 l4 sheets-sneer 2 'INVENTOR @m/@awww M #LA ATTORNEYJ.

l CL 29| 194D- J. w. Q'BRIEN .2,219,818

REEL

Filed April 25, 1957 hamaca 29,1940

UNITED STATI-1S REEL Jeremiah w. onrien, Pittsburgh, ne., assigner to' United Engineering vda Foundry Compan Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of'Pennsylva a Application April 23, 1937, Serial No. 138,557

13 Claims.

Y reels for winding metal strip and the like' have been provided. However, these have been open to the objection that they are relatively complicated necessitating considerable initial and maintenance cost. In addition, some reels have been made of such a multiplicity of parts, particularly in the strip-gripping mechanism, that they are not readily operated by the workman and, moreover, are apt to easily get out of proper operating order. Further, the problem of holding radially movable reel segments against collapsing movement when in the expanded position without distortion of the reel parts has long presented difliculties.

Itis the general object of my invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difilculties of known reel structures by the provision of sturdy, long wearing, easily operated, and relatively inexpensive mechanism adap'ted for coiling metal strip and the like. i

Another object ofmy invention is to provide a collapsible reel which can readily be made of s. type adapted to'coil strip underheavy tension or of a lighter type adapted to rewind or handle strip under light loads.

Another object of my invention is to provide a 'collapsible'reel having simplified and improved strip-gripping mechanism and flat-surfaced camsv for operating the reel segments.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a collapsible reel having a construction particularly adapted to absorb and overcome dis,- tortion producing strains encountered by the reel in use.

Another object of my invention is to provide a collapsible reel in which radially movable reel segments carryingcam plates are controlled by an axially positioned shaft having rollers engaging the cam plates'.

A more particular objectof my invention is to provide, a collapsible reel for winding metal strip with the reel including a straight, cold-rolled,

central shaft instead of the expensive, ,forged shaft employed on known types of reels.

Simplified strip-gripping mechanism is incor-V porated with the reel, and the reel parts and particularly the shaft are constructed so as to absorb and overcome distortion producing strains. The shaft may comprise in part a relatively inexpensive cold-rolled shaft'and the reel as awhoie of a heavy or a light collstruction.

In the'accompanying drawings Fig.` 1 is anend v y elevation of one embodiment "of my invention; Fig. 2 isa longitudinal diametric section taken on line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken on line vIII-III of Fig. 2 and' illustrating in full lines the reel in its` expanded position and in dotted lines the reel in its collapsed position; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but is of a modified form of my invention; and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 4 but is of another modification of my invention. While broadly adapted to coil and handle material of various kinds, my improved reel is particularly adapted to coil relatively wide, thin, metal strip and hence has .been so illustrated and will be so described. l

Specifically considering the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings and constituting a relatively light-weight, rewinding typeof reel, the numeral I0 indicates generally a cold-rolled shaftof substantially unil form'diameter along its length Vwhich is-driven in any suitable manner and supported in cantilever bearings. A shaft of this character is very easily manufactured in accordance withv known.

v practice and is considerably less expensive than a forged or other cam shaft of special size, such as often employed in reels of the general character described. Journaled for limited rotary movement on the shaft head is a radially fixed reel segment I2 having relatively light walls and including suitable means for receiving and clamping an end of a strip of metal to be coiled. In this embodiment of my invention these means take the simplest possible form, i. e., an inclined slot il. Preferably thev segment I2 is formed with anintegral hub I4 at one end and a removable hub Il issecured as at i8 to the ilxedl segment to achieve the mounting of the segment on the shaft i0. The hubs I4 and I8 are formed with aligned bushings 20 and 22 which journal thel shaftv i0. The limitedl relative rotary movement of the radially fixed segment i2 on the shaft i0 is preferabiydetermined by the provision of spaced stops 26 and 2B which may be formed 4integrally with` the hub i4 of the segment I2.

-Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft I0 is a collar It formed with a finger 32 which extends between the stops 2l. and 28. The collapsing and" expanding action of thev drum 'is controlled by the limited relative\rotary movement of the shaft I0 and the ilxed reel; segment i2, as hereafter more ,y

fully described.` 4 v Completing the contour of the reel are radiallyl movable reel segments 38 and 38 having relatively light-weight walls which segments are pivotally secured by longitudinally extending pins 48 and 42 to the radially fixed segment I2. Pro- 5 vided upon the inner sides of the movable segments, 36 and 38 are cam surfaces which are preferably in the form of cam plates 48 and 48 having fiat faces which are easily machined and which are positioned as shown to effect the desired cam action. The segments 36 and 38 are resiliently held towards each other and are moved to collapsed position by springs 81 carried by pins 88 fastened to the segments.

The shaft -I8 carries a hub 58 which is secured thereto as by a key 52 and mounted upon the hub are two sets of aligned rollers 54 and 56 which construction expedites and simplifies the construction and assembly of the reel. Preferably, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the hub 58 is formed with radially extending lugs 53 which carry axles 68 and 62 positioned'paralleltol each other and to the shaft I 8. The rollers 54 and 56 are provided with bushings 86 and 68 rotatably carred upon the axles 68 and 52, respectively, between -the lugs 58. Thus, as best evidenced in Fig. 2, a plurality of longitudinally spaced areas of contact between the cam plates 48 and 48 and the rollers 54 and 56, and thus the hub 58 and shaft I8, are provided.. The hub 68, due to its shape and the beam-like structure provided by the extra metal 5I, serves to strengthen the shaft I8, particularly in the direction of the radial thrust of the movable reel segments 36 and 38, and largely absorbs and overcomes strains tending to distort the reel.

Preferably the surfaces of the cam plates 86 and 48 are at aslight angle to true radii of the shaft I8 so that lines 18 drawn perpendicular t0 the surfaces from the points of contact of the i0 rollers 54 and 58 therewith pass to the same .side

of the axis of the shaft. By this arrangement forces applied to the circumference of the reel and tending to collapse it areemployed to almost overcome the frictional resistance against collapse by causing torque tending to rotate the shaft I 8 Arelative to the fixed reel segment I 2.

Formed integrally with the fixed reel segment I2 or as shown secured thereto is a braking surface or drum 12 which can be braked in any suitable manner to effect the expanding or collapsing movement of the reel.

The operation of the reel should be evident from the foregoing description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. Briefly summarizing, however, an end of the metal strip is inserted in the slot I3 of the radially fixed reel segment I2 and the reel is revolved in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig, 3, Since the driving of the reel is effected by rotation of the 80 shaft I8, it will be evident that the fingery 32 of collar 88 moves into engagement with the stop 28 as shown in Fig. 1, which moves the rollers 54 and 58 into the full line relation indicated in Fig. 3 with the cam plates 48 and 48. In other words, the reel is in its fully expanded position.

Continued rotation of the reel as effected by positive rotation of the shaft I8 coils any desired amount of strip metal upon the reel. When the end of the metal strip to be coiled has been reached or when it is desired to stop the coiling action, the shaft I8 is, of course, stopped, usually by braking the shaft I8, as,'for example, dynamic braking vof an electric motor. drive. The relaA Vtively high momentum ofthe reel and the metal 1s con assisted by the off-center turning forces def scribed above turns the reel relative to the shaft I8 so that finger 82 moves over into engagement with stop 28 (see Fig. 1). This relative rotary movement of the shaft I8 .and the radially fixed reel segment I2 causes the rollers 54 and' 5 6 carried by the hub 58 to move to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3. Due to the cam action of the cam plates 48 and 4 8, the radially movable braked and the motor or other means of rotating the shaft I 8 driven in reverse to turn the nger 32 of collar 38 from contact with thc stop 28 into engagement with the stop 26 to thereby collapse the reel.

Once the coil of material hasA been removed or even before it has been removed and it is desired i to resume the winding or ceiling operation, the continued rotation of the shaft I8 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3 will cause the relative rotary movement of the shaft i8 and.

the radially fixed reel segment I2 to move the parts of the reel from the dotted to the full line or expanded position of Fig. 3. v

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. i the parts which are similar or identical to those heretofore described are referred to only generally', it being understood that except where specifically described as diierent the several embodiments of my invention are alike. Specifically, the numeral 18 indicates a cold-rolled shaft upon which is mounted a radially fixed reel segment 18 for limited lrelative rotary movement therewith. Hinged to the radially fixed reel segment 18, as by pins 88 and 82, are radiallymovable reel segments 84 and 88 which are preferably formed at their meeting ends with mtelockmg tongue and groove portions indicated generally at 88 The radially movable reel sections 84 and 88 are provided respectively with cam plates 88 and 82 having fiat surfaces in engagement with rollers 84 and 88 carried by longitudinally extending shafts 88 and |88 mounted upon a hub portion |82 keyed to the shaft 16. The hub portion |82 is formed with a longitudinally extending strengthening rib I 84 so that forces tending to circumferentially compress the reel and move the radially movable sections 84 and 88 inwardly are absorbed and overcome by the relatively strong and radially deep construction of the shaft `18 and strengthening hub |82;

Preferably the surfaces of the cam plates 88 and 82 areA not at a right angle to radii of the shaft 18 but instead are formed perpendicular to lines |88 which pass to the same side of the axis of the shaft 18. By this construction any desired part of the frictional forces resisting the collapse of the reel may be 'overcome since the radial thrust of the movable sections 84 and 8.8

creates a torque tending to turn the shaft 16 lclamping mechanism which comprises an arm Illl ordinarily formed integral with the hub |82 and extending as illustrated in Fig. 4 toa point adjacent #lot Ill formed across the width of be understood that the lengagement of the arm,

|08 with the radially fixed reel segment limits the reel expanding rotary movement of the shaft 18. In order to limit the relative rotary .movement between the shaft 18 and the radially fixed reel segment 18 in the other or collapsing direction, I preferably provide lugs ||8 on the hub |02 which engage with a shoulder ||8 formed on the reel segment 18.

The operation of this embodiment of my invention is basically the same as that above described and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. However', the operation will now be briefly reviewed having particular reference to the strip-clamping mechanism. With the reel parts in the collapsed position as shown in dotted lines of Fig. 4, the end of a metal strip is inserted in the slot so that it is positioned between the clamp bar ||4 and the clamp bar ||2. Driving the shaft 18 in the direction shown by the arrow causes relative rotary movement of the shaft and the radially fixed reel -segment 18 to move the arm |08 to its full-line position and thereby force the clamping bar- ||2 tightly into engagement with the strip to hold it against the clamp bar |4. The same relative rotary movement by the shaft 18 and the radially fixed reel segment 18 effects the movement of thereel segments 84 4'.) and 88 to their expanded position shown in full lines. The coil of strip will now be wound on the reel as desired and when it becomes necessary to collapse'the reel relative'rotary movement between the shaft 18 and the reel segment 18 effects collapse of the reel, as will be understood, at which time the arm |08 and clamp bar ||2 return to the dotted line position to release the end of the strip. In the relative rotary movement last mentioned the lugs ||8 engaging 50 with the shoulder ||8 limit such movement.

The embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. is generally similar to the several embodimentsl discussed heretoforev and illustrated in Figs. l to 4 and the similar parts will, there- 55 fore, only be generally described here. The form of my invention shown in Fig. 5 is particularly adapted for coiling metal strip under relatively heavy tension and is of the so-called heavy-duty type. The numeral |20 indicates a central shaft 60 which may comprise a cold-rolled center and a surrounding hub portion as contained in the two embodiments of my invention heretofore described. Preferably, however', the shaft |20 is cast or forged' and then machined to the contour illustrated. The shaft |20 journals for limited relativerotary movement a radially fixed reel segment |22, ordinarily by means such as heretofore described, and completing the contour of the reel are radially movable reel segments |24 and |28 formed with intertting ends |28 and hinged to the radially fixed reel segment |22 as by pins' |30 and |32. The radially movable lreel segments |24 and |28 respectively carry fiat-surfaced cam plates |34 and |38 which co- 75 operate with rollers |38 and |40 journaled by vment |22.

suitable bearings upon axles |42 and |44 extending longitudinally of the shaft |20 as illustrated in the drawings. Similar to the embodiments of my invention above described, the surfaces of the cam plates |34 and |38 are perpendicular to lines |48 which pass to one side of the pivotaleaxis of the shaft |20 so as to provide -a friction overcoming torque as heretofore re.

. cited.

The mechanism for gripping or 'clamping the 'end of a strip to the reel in this embodiment of my invention includes an opening |50 formed in the radially fixed reel segment |22 and receiving a plurality of rocker or clamp arms |52 pivotally mounted upon a pin |54 carried by the reel segment |22. The rocker arms |52 are secured to a clamping bar |58 which cooperates with a clamping bar |58 secured tothe fixed reel seg- The clamp bar |58, as will be seen in Fig. 5, forms a part of the reel surface when the reel is expanded. The forces imparted to the bar by the strip and tending to move the bar radially vinwardly :are carried directly to the shaft |20.

The shaft |20 is formed with lugs |80 'which engage with a cam plate |82 carried` by the rocker arms |52 and operating to swing the rocker y arms |52 about the pin |54 in order to clamp metalrstrip between the clamping bars |58 and |58. The lugs |80 also engage with a shoulder |84 formed on the reel segment |22 to limit relative rotary movement of the shaft |20 and the reel segment |22 in the reel expanding direction. To limit this same relative movement in the other or reel collapsing direction lugs |88 3 likewise formed on the shaft |20 engage with a shoulder |88 formed on the reel segment |22. The rocker arms |52 are provided with finger portions |10 which engage with the lugs |80 upon movement of the reel parts to collapsed position.

It will be recognized that the basic loperation of this embodiment of my invention is substantially the same yas that heretofore described in detail in conjunction with the several other' embodiments heretoforeconsidered except for the operation of the strip-gripping mechanism. This lmechanism as should be understood is in the dotted position whenthe reel is collapsed. The strip end can readily be inserted between the clamping bars |58 and |58. Upon driving the shaft |20 in the direction of the arrow to coil strip thereon the lugs |80 engaging with the cam plate |82 move the clamping bars |58 and |58 into clamping relation with the strip. lAfter the desired amount of strip has been coiled the reel is collapsed as above described by turning the shaft |20 relative to the reel segment |22 in a direction opposite to the arrow, which operation causes the lug |80 to engage the fingers |10 and tilt the rocker arms |52 to move the clamping bars |58 and |58 apart and to simultaneously collapse the reel in movement limited by the engagement of lug |88 with the shoulder |88.

'From the foregoing it will be recognized that the objects of my invention have been achieved by the provision of a relatively lsimple inexpensive reel readily adapted' to manufacture in either the heavy-duty tension-type or a lightwalled rewinding type. The strip-gripping mechanism is simplified and improved and the strength of the central shaft of the reel to resist strains and forces tending to distort the reel has beenimproved so that these distortionproducing factors are absorbed and overcome. A reel constructed in accordance with my invention is readily collapsed or expanded even though strip under considerable tension is coiled `thereon in that the compressive forces of the strip are directed to overcome frictional resistance against collapse.

While several embodiments of my invention have been illustrated'and described in detail, it l should be understood that my invention is not limited thereto or thereby but is defined in the appended claims.

I claim: l. A collapsible reel for coillng metal strip and the like, comprising a shaft, a radially fixed reel segment journaled on the shaft, means onlsaid segment to secure the end of a metal strip thereto, means limiting the relative movement of the shaft and the segment, radially movable reel 20 segments completing the contour of the reel and pivotally secured to the radially xed segment, fiat-surfaced cam plates fixed to the inner sides of the radially movable segments near the movable ends thereof and having surfaces perpendicular to lines passing to one'side of the axis of the shaft, a pair of axles mounted on the shaft in parallel relation to each other and to the shaft and each positioned in juxtaposition to a cam plate, a plurality of rollers journaled on each axle and engaging with the juxtaposed cam plate, said shaft having a relatively heavy strengthening rib of metal between the rollers,

and a braking surface on the fixed reel segment to facilitate relative rotary movement of the shaft and reel segments to collapse the reel.

2. A collapsible reel for coillng metal strip and the like, comprising a shaft, a radially nxed reel segment journaled on the shaft, means on said segment to secure the end of a metal strip therelo to, means limiting the relative movement of the shaft and the segment, radially movable reel segments completing the contour ofthe reel and pivotally secured to the radially xed segment, cam means having substantially fiat surfaces, said cam means being positioned on the inner sides of the radially movable smments near the movable ends thereof, a pair of axles mounted on the shaft in parallelrelation to each other and to the shaft and. each positioned in juxtaposition to a cam means, a plurality of rollers journaled on each axle 'and engaging with the juxtaposed cam means, said shaft having a relatively heavy strengthening rib .of metal between the rollers, and a braking surface on the fixed reel segment to facilitate relative rotary movement of the shaft and reel ents to collapse the reel.

3. A collapsible reel for coillng metal strip and the like, comprising a cold rolled shaft..a radi- -ally fixed reel segment journaled on the'shaft.I

e0 means on said segment to secure the vend of a metal strip thereto, means limiting the rela- -tive movement of the shaft and the segment, radially movable reel segments completing the contour of the reel and plvotally securedto the radially xed segment, cam plates fixed to the inner sides of the radially movablesegments near the movable ends thereof and having surfaces perpendicular to lines passing to one side of the axis of the shaft, a hub secured to the 70 shaft and positioned insidefthe reel in radial alignment with thesegments thereof, a pair of axles mounted on' the hub in parallelrelatlon to each other and to the shaft and each posi.- tioned in juxtaposition to a cam plate, a plurality of rollers Journaled on each axle and en-A andere gaglng with the juxtaposed cam plate, and a braking surface on the fixed reel segment to facilitate relative rotary movement of the shaft and reel segments to collapse the reel.

4. A collapsible reel for coiling metal strip and 5 the like, comprising a cold rolled shaft, a radially fixed reel segment journaled on the shaft, means on said segment to secure the end of a 1 metal strip thereto, means limiting the relative movement of the shaft andthe segment, radil0 ally movable reel segments completing the contour of the reel and pivotally secured to the radially fixed segment, cam means on the inner sides of the radially movable segments near the movable ends thereof, a hub secured to the shaft l5 and positioned inside the reel in radial alignment with the segments thereof, a pair of' axles mounted on the hub in parallel relation to each other and to. the `shaft and each'positioned in juxtaposition to a cam means, a plurality of roll- 20 ers journaled on each axle and'engaging with the juxtaposed cam means, and a braking surface on the xed reel segment to facilitate relative rotary movement of the shaft and reel segments to collapsethe reel. 25

5. A collapsible reel for coiling metal strip and the like, comprising a cold rolled shaft, a radially fixed reel segment journaled on the shaft, means on said segmentto secure the end of a metal strip thereto, means limiting the relative movement of 30 the shaft and the segment, radially movable reel segments completing the contour of the reel and pivotally secured to the radially fixed segment, cam means on the inner' sides of the radially movable segments near the movable ends 35 thereof, a hub secured to the shaft and positioned inside the reelin radial alignment with the segments thereof', a pair of axles mounted on the hub in parallel relation to each other and to the shaft and each positioned in juxtaposition to a 40 cam means, a plurality of rollers journaled on each axle and engaging with the. juxtaposed cam means, and means to facilitate relative rotary movement of the shaft and reel segments to collapse the reel. 45

B. A collapsible reel for ceiling metal strip and the like, comprising a cold rolled shaft, a radially fixed-reel segment journaled on the shaft, said segment having a xed slot to receive the end of a metal strip, means limiting the relative move- .50 ment of the shaft and the segment, radially movable reel segments completing the contour of the reel and pivotally secured to the radially fixed segment, cam plates fixed to the inner sides of the radially movable segments near the mov- 55 able ends thereof, a hub secured to the shaft and positioned inside the reel in radial alignment with the segments thereof, a pair of axles mounted on the hub in parallel relation to each other and to the shaft and each positioned inA 60 juxtaposition to a'cam plate, a plurality of rollers Journaled on each axle and engaging with the juxtaposed cam plate, and a braking surface on the fixed reel segment to facilitate relative rotary movement of the shaft and reel segments to col 65 lapse the reel. -'1. A collapsible reel for coillng metal strip and' the like, comprising a cold-rolled shaft, a radially fixed'reel segment journaled on the shaft, said segment having a slot of fixed dimensions to 4re- 70 ceive-the end`-of a metal strip, means limiting the relative movement of the shaft and the segment, radially movable reel segments completing the contour' of the reel and pivotaily secured to the radially' fixed segment, cam means on the '7g inner sides of the radially movable segments near the movable ends thereof, Aa hub secured to the axles mounted on the hub in parallel relation to each other and to the shaft and each positioned in juxtaposition to a cam means, and a plurality of rollers journaled oneach axle and engaging with the juxtaposed cam means.

radially fixed reel 4segment mounted on the shaft, and having a slot to receive the end of ametal strip, means providing limited relative movement of the shaft and the segment, radially movable reel segments completing the contour of the reel, natsurfaced cams on the inner sides of the radially movable segments, a hub secured to the shaft and positioned inside the reel in radial alignment with the segments thereof, and rollers journaled on the hub and engaging .with the cams. i v

9. A reel, comprising a central shaft, a hub mounted -for relative rotaryl movement atl each end of the shafta radially fixedsegment supported by the hubs, a collapsible segment pivotally secured to the fixed segment, cam means on' the collapsible segment, and means secured tol the shaft and engaging with the cam means so that relative rotary movement of the shaft and fixed segment effects the collapse or expansion of the reel, said means on the shaft including a beam-like structure which strengthens the` shaft in the direction of the radial thrust of the collapsible segment.

10. A reel, comprising, a central shaft, a hub 'mounted for relative rotary movement at each end of the shaft, a radially fixed segment supported by the hubs and having a slot therein adapted to receive the end of a strip of material, lo a pair of collapsible segments pivotally secured to the fixed segment, cam means on the collapsible segments, rollers carried by the shaft and engaging withA the cam means so that relative rotary movement of the shaft and fixed -seg- 45 ment effects the collapse or expansion of the reel, and a clamping arm integrally associated with the shaft andl movable upon the expansion 8. A collapsible reel, comprising -a shaft, a

of the reel into clamping relation with material extending into the slot.

l1. A collapsible reel comprising 4a shaft, a radially fixed reel segment rotatably mounted on the shaft, radially movable reel segments hinged to the radially fixed reel segment and completing the contour of the reel, means associated with the shaft and radially movable reel segments for collapsing and expanding the reel upon relative rotary movement of the shaft and radially fixed reel segment, means integrally associated with the shaft and adapted to clamp against' the radially xed reel segment to secure the end of strip material to the reel, said last-named means limiting reel expanding movement between the shaft and the radially fixed reel segment, and other means on the shaft engageable with the fixed reel segment to limit the reel collapsing movement between the segment and the shaft. v

12. A collapsible reel comprising a. shaft, a radially xed reel segment rotatably mounted on the shaft, radially movable reel segments hinged tothe radially fixed reel segment and completing the contour of thereel, means associated with theshaft and radially movable reel segments for collapsing and expanding the reel upon relative rotary movement of the shaft andv radially xed reel segment, and means integrally ,Y associated with the shaft and adapted to clamp against the radially fixed reel segment to secure the end of strip material to the reel, said lastnamed means limiting reel expanding movement' between the shaft and' the radially fixed reel segment.

13. A collapsible'reel comprising a shaft, a

radially fixed reel segment rotatably mounted on the shaft, radially movable reel segments hinged to the radially fixed reel segment, means associated with the shaft and radially movable reel segments for collapsing and expanding the reel upon relative rotary movement of the shaft and radially fixed reel segment, and means integrally associated with the shaft and adapted to-clamp against the radially fixed reel segment to.secure the end of strip material to the reel.

l JEREMIAH W. OBRIIEIN,l 

